Kerala cops, Under fire, to decide on rape-accused Bishop’s arrest

Mangalore Today News Network

Kochi, Sept 12, 2018 : The brother of the Kerala nun who has accused a senior Roman Catholic priest of rape has alleged that he was offered a bribe of Rs. 5 crore if she withdraws her complaint. The brother said that a relative of Franco Mulakkal and two other priests approached his friend and conveyed that they are willing of Rs. 5 crore if the nun withdraws her complaint.

Four nuns are protesting near the Kerala High Court in Kochi. The nuns and others are protesting in Kerala against the delay in action against the bishop.

Police sources said a high-level meeting will be held today ahead of a hearing in the Kerala High Court tomorrow. A notice is likely to be issued to summon the bishop and a decision on whether he should be arrested will be taken in the meeting

The Kerala High Court has asked the police for details on the steps taken as part of the investigation into the rape case.

The nun, in her late 40s, has alleged that she was sexually abused by Franco Mullackal 13 times between 2014 and 2016. She petitioned the Vatican alleging that the bishop is using "political and money power" to bury the case.

In a letter to Giambattista Diquattro, Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio (a diplomatic mission), the nun alleged that by continuing as Jalandhar diocese bishop, Franco Mulakkal and his close associates "are using the wealth of the diocese to divert" the course of the police investigation.

The Kerala High Court asked the police to clarify if the bishop was questioned and what steps had been taken after the police questioning. The court has also sought to ask the details of the provisions made for the protection of the nuns.

The bishop has denied the allegations made by the nun and claims that he has been targeted for taking disciplinary action.